Miami: Cheap Flights & Best Hotels

Miami Travel Guide

Miami is where the United States meets Latin America and the Caribbean. Spanish is heard as often as English, Cuban coffee fuels the mornings and Art Deco hotels line a beach that stays warm almost all year. Beyond the famous sands of South Beach, the city offers street art in Wynwood, Cuban culture in Little Havana, and easy day trips into the Everglades and the Florida Keys.

At a Glance

• Best for: beaches, nightlife, Latin culture, food, and a gateway to the Keys and Everglades
• Currency: US dollar (USD)
• Languages: English and Spanish
• Main airport: Miami International (MIA); Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood (FLL) is nearby

Seasons and Timing

Miami has two main seasons rather than four.

Dry season (roughly November to April) brings sunshine, lower humidity and comfortable temperatures. This is peak season, so hotels fill up and rates climb, especially around Christmas, New Year, spring break and the big art fair in early December.

Wet season (roughly May to October) is hot and humid, with short, heavy afternoon thunderstorms. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June to November, with the highest risk usually in late summer and early autumn. Travel is still possible, but flexible bookings and travel insurance are wise. Hotel prices are often lower in these months.

Where to Spend Your Time

South Beach and the Art Deco District

Ocean Drive and the surrounding streets hold one of the largest collections of Art Deco buildings in the world, in pastel colours with neon signs at night. The beach itself is wide and lively, with lifeguard towers that have become a symbol of the city. Walk the quieter South Pointe Park at the southern tip for views of cruise ships leaving port.

Little Havana

Calle Ocho is the heart of Cuban Miami. Watch the domino players at Máximo Gómez Park, try a cafecito from a walk-up window and look out for live music in the evenings.

Wynwood

Former warehouses have become a large outdoor gallery of murals, with breweries, galleries and cafés in between. The Wynwood Walls is the best-known spot.

Design District and Downtown

Luxury boutiques and public art in the Design District; the Pérez Art Museum Miami and the Frost Museum of Science sit on the bay downtown.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

An early twentieth-century villa with formal gardens on Biscayne Bay, offering a very different side of the city.

Day Trips

• Everglades National Park: airboat rides and boardwalk trails where you may see alligators and wading birds.
• Florida Keys: a scenic drive across bridges and islands; Key West is a long day trip, so many people stay overnight.
• Key Biscayne: calmer beaches and a lighthouse, close to the city.

What to Eat

Start with a Cuban sandwich and croquetas, then try a cafecito or café con leche. Stone crab is a local seasonal speciality, and ceviche reflects the city's Peruvian and South American influence. Key lime pie is the classic dessert. Haitian, Venezuelan and Colombian restaurants are worth seeking out too, and vegetarian options are easy to find in Wynwood and Miami Beach.

Arriving and Getting Around

Miami International Airport has a rail link, the MIA Mover, to the Miami Intermodal Center, where you can connect to Metrorail and regional trains. Fort Lauderdale airport sometimes has cheaper fares and is linked by the Tri-Rail commuter train and the Brightline service.

In the city, the free Metromover loops around Downtown and Brickell, and the Metrorail links the airport to Downtown. Miami Beach has its own free trolley routes. For the Everglades and the Keys, a rental car or a tour is the practical choice. Ride-hailing is widely available and parking in Miami Beach can be expensive.

Neighbourhoods to Stay In

Keeping Costs Down

• Travel in the shoulder months of late April, May or November for a balance of weather and price.
• Use the free Metromover and Miami Beach trolleys.
• The beaches, Wynwood street art and Little Havana are free to explore.
• Check resort fees and parking charges before you book a hotel, as these can add up.
• Eat at Cuban ventanitas and food halls rather than beachfront restaurants.

Practical Information

• Visa: Many visitors need a US visa; eligible travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA. Check the official US government website.
• Tipping: Expected in restaurants; some Miami Beach restaurants add a service charge automatically, so read the bill.
• Sun and heat: Use high-factor sunscreen and drink plenty of water.
• Weather alerts: In hurricane season, follow official forecasts and local guidance.
• Plugs: Type A and B.

Find Your Fare

Whether you fly into MIA or Fort Lauderdale, prices can differ considerably. voyagiro.com compares 27+ booking sites for free, so you can weigh flights and hotels for Miami in one search.